MCAS can affect every part of your body, and it's not well understood. Today I'm joined by dietitian Chloe Hall to talk about the digestive aspects of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.

We covered:

• What is MCAS and how is it diagnosed
• Approaching your doctor, how to ask about MCAS
• Typical medical treatments for MCAS
• What is a low histamine diet and how to follow it
• The role of the gut microbiome in histamine clearance
• MCAS and small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)

About Chloe

Chloe is a Dietitian with over 15 years of experience, including more than a decade working within the NHS. She now runs her private practice, The Calm Gut Dietitian (www.thecalmgutdietitian.com), where she supports people with complex and often overlapping health conditions.

Her specialist areas include Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), gut health, histamine intolerance, Long Covid, and Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS). Chloe also has extensive experience supporting individuals with co-existing conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Chloe is particularly passionate about improving awareness and support for people living with MCAS, Long Covid, and PoTS, inspired by her husband's personal experience of these conditions. As a media spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association (BDA), she regularly helps raise awareness of these often under-recognised conditions.

She is a Dietetic Advisor for Mast Cell Action, a UK charity supporting people with MCAS, and is also involved in projects with EDS UK to improve dietary support and resources for people living with EDS.

Buy my book - Inside Knowledge for people with IBS & SIBO (find it on Amazon)

Get free weekly IBS & SIBO emails - https://mailchi.mp/goodnessme-nutrition.com/h6acndd1bs

Work with me

• 3 month Gut Reset - https://www.goodnessme-nutrition.com/consultations/

Ready for your gut reset? 🌍 I work with clients worldwide, providing remote consultations and a wealth of educational resources for IBS and SIBO.

Instagram - @goodnessme_nutrition

The information in this podcast is not medical advice and is not designed to treat, diagnose or provide personalised health advice. This podcast content is information only and any changes you make are at the user's own risk. Please consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before implementing any new treatment.

Could your digestive issues be caused by how the body holds itself together? Connective tissue conditions can change the speed of food through the gut, impact on digestion as well as a host of other impacts. This week Alex Orfanides, osteopath and hypermobility expert, answers all my questions:

• What is hypermobility and how would you know if this affects you?
• How can connective tissue disorders like hypermobility Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) affect your digestion?
• What lifestyle changes help if you have hEDS / HDS?

Thank you to Alex for a fantastic conversation, her passion for this topic is very clear and she's so well researched and knowledgeable on this topic.

About Alex

Alex Orfanides M.Ost. BA is a GOsC-registered osteopath and hypermobility specialist. Her clinical work focuses on hEDS, HSD, and hypermobility-related presentations, and she delivers guest lectures on hypermobility at the university level. She is the author of Help! I'm Hypermobile: Your How-to Guide for hEDS, HSD, and Life in a Hypermobile Body.

Alex lives with hEDS herself and is passionate about talking honestly about the realities of the condition through her podcast Help! I'm Hypermobile and across social media @hypermobilityhq.

Find out more at helpimhypermobile.com.

About me

Buy my book - Inside Knowledge for people with IBS & SIBO (find it on Amazon)

Get free weekly IBS & SIBO emails - https://mailchi.mp/goodnessme-nutrition.com/h6acndd1bs

Work with me

• 3 month Gut Reset - https://www.goodnessme-nutrition.com/consultations/

Ready for your gut reset? 🌍 I work with clients worldwide, providing remote consultations and a wealth of educational resources for IBS and SIBO.

Instagram - @goodnessme_nutrition

The information in this podcast is not medical advice and is not designed to treat, diagnose or provide personalised health advice. This podcast content is information only and any changes you make are at the user's own risk. Please consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before implementing any new treatment.

How does your pelvic floor affect your bowel movements? This conversation covers all you never knew you need to know about the physical aspects of doing a poo:

• How can pelvic health physiotherapy support different types of IBS
• What happens in a pelvic health physio appointment
• Implications of straining on the toilet
• How menopause can affect pelvic health

About Clare

Clare is a specialist pelvic and digestive health physiotherapist and author, based in London, with a passion to support those of all genders and ages with their pelvic health. She believes in talking openly about taboo topics and ensuring everyone feels comfortable to get support even for problems that may feel embarrassing to talk about. She worked extensively in the NHS before starting up her own private practice and completing multiple advanced courses in pelvic health. Clare is the author of Strong Foundations: Why Pelvic Health Matters, a book that aims to educate all women about their pelvic health, from childhood through to menopause.

Website: www.clare-bourne.com

Social media: clarebournephysio

Book link: https://amzn.to/48zXauQ

About me

My book - Inside Knowledge for people with IBS & SIBO (find it on Amazon)

Get free weekly IBS & SIBO emails - https://mailchi.mp/goodnessme-nutrition.com/h6acndd1bs

Work with me

• 3 month Gut Reset - https://www.goodnessme-nutrition.com/consultations/

Ready for your gut reset? 🌍 I work with clients worldwide, providing remote consultations and a wealth of educational resources for IBS and SIBO.

Instagram - @goodnessme_nutrition

The information in this podcast is not medical advice and is not designed to treat, diagnose or provide personalised health advice. This podcast content is information only and any changes you make are at the user's own risk. Please consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before implementing any new treatment.

You probably know about the gut-brain axis already, but this episode brings an expert to share the next layer of knowledge on how your mind controls your digestion. This week I'm speaking to Helen Brooks, clinical hypnotherapist about gut directed hypnotherapy. We cover:

• What is gut directed hypnotherapy and what is it not
• How does it help in IBS?
• What you can do at home to calm the gut-brain connection

About Helen

Helen Brooks is a clinical hypnotherapist and the founder of The Tummy Whisperer, specialising in an evidence-based mind-body approach for IBS and disorders of gut-brain interaction.

Using a unique framework that combines gut-directed hypnotherapy, nervous system regulation and mind-body work, Helen helps people reduce symptoms, rebuild trust in their body, and stop organising life around their gut.

Her work focuses on supporting the systems that drive, amplify and maintain IBS symptoms, helping clients live better even when they've "tried everything."

Helen works with clients internationally through her online programmes and virtual clinic.

Helen's website: https://www.thetummywhisperer.co.uk

Free audio download - https://calm-gut-audio.thetummywhisperer.co.uk

If you'd like support putting the brakes on urgency and calming the gut-brain connection, explore the Gut-Brain Reset here: https://gut-brain-reset.lovable.app

https://www.thetummywhisperer.co.uk/

About me

Buy my book - Inside Knowledge for people with IBS & SIBO (find it on Amazon)

Get free weekly IBS & SIBO emails - https://mailchi.mp/goodnessme-nutrition.com/h6acndd1bs

Work with me

• 3 month Gut Reset - https://www.goodnessme-nutrition.com/consultations/

Ready for your gut reset? 🌍 I work with clients worldwide, providing remote consultations and a wealth of educational resources for IBS and SIBO.

Instagram - @goodnessme_nutrition

The information in this podcast is not medical advice and is not designed to treat, diagnose or provide personalised health advice. This podcast content is information only and any changes you make are at the user's own risk. Please consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before implementing any new treatment.

Did you know one third of IBS-D cases could be triggered by bile acids in the large intestine? This week's interview is with Consultant Gastroenterologist Professor Bu'Hussain Hayee who helps explain all you need to know:

• What is bile acid diarrhoea?
• The effect of diets on bile acids
• Asking your GP about whether this could be causing your IBS-D

He's so clear and helpful, this is something everyone with IBS-D should be aware of.

Professor Hayee

Professor Hayee has been a Consultant Gastroenterologist at King's College Hospital since 2011. He has held Lead roles for the Inflammatory Bowel Disease service and endoscopy Training Lead and is now the Director for the Division of Liver, Gastroenterology and Endoscopy. He served as Director for the London Endoscopy Academy (2021-23) and is a member of the British Society of Gastroenterology Council, and a Fellow of the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

He maintains an active role in basic science, endoscopic and clinical research as well as teaching internationally. His PhD, awarded in 2010, focussed on the gut immune system and Crohn’s disease and he maintains an interest in gut health and immunity, treating people with a variety of long-term digestive problems through NHS and private practice.

Buy my book - Inside Knowledge for people with IBS & SIBO (find it on Amazon)

Get free weekly IBS & SIBO emails - https://mailchi.mp/goodnessme-nutrition.com/h6acndd1bs

Work with me

• 3 month Gut Reset - https://www.goodnessme-nutrition.com/consultations/

Ready for your gut reset? 🌍 I work with clients worldwide, providing remote consultations and a wealth of educational resources for IBS and SIBO.

Instagram - @goodnessme_nutrition

The information in this podcast is not medical advice and is not designed to treat, diagnose or provide personalised health advice. This podcast content is information only and any changes you make are at the user's own risk. Please consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before implementing any new treatment.

This episode is very interesting if you're due for a GP visit soon. I'm interviewing NHS GP, Dr Lynette Ewart, about their experience of working with with IBS patients. Listen to hear

• How your GP assesses your digestive symptoms
• Tips on approaching a doctor's appointment
• Stress in IBS
• Red flags to look out for in chronic IBS

About Lynette

Dr Lynette Ewart is a GP of over 20 years and a strength coach who helps midlife women build muscle, improve their health, and stop getting side tracked by wellness noise. Her work focuses on simple, evidence-based approaches to strength training, nutrition, and long-term health, the basics that actually move the needle.

She runs Prescription Strength, offering both group programmes and 1:1 coaching for those who want structure, clarity, and results without the fluff, and hosts the Prescription Strength Podcast where she explores common health myths and practical ways to take control of your health. You can start with her free 3-Day Strength Start, a practical introduction to strength training designed to build confidence quickly, available via her YouTube channel and links.

https://www.prescriptionstrength.co.uk/3-day-strength-start/

https://www.instagram.com/prescription_strength_uk/

About me

Buy my book - Inside Knowledge for people with IBS & SIBO (find it on Amazon)

Get free weekly IBS & SIBO emails - https://mailchi.mp/goodnessme-nutrition.com/h6acndd1bs

Work with me

• 3 month Gut Reset - https://www.goodnessme-nutrition.com/consultations/

Ready for your gut reset? 🌍 I work with clients worldwide, providing remote consultations and a wealth of educational resources for IBS and SIBO.

Instagram - @goodnessme_nutrition

The information in this podcast is not medical advice and is not designed to treat, diagnose or provide personalised health advice. This podcast content is information only and any changes you make are at the user's own risk. Please consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before implementing any new treatment.

The first of my interview series, thanks to Bahee van de Bor for her excellent input to the show. We cover:

• How to approach your doctor if you're worried about IBS
• FODMAP diet in children
• Food intolerance testing in children

About Bahee

Bahee Van de Bor is a specialist paediatric dietitian with over 20 years' experience, including senior roles at Great Ormond Street Hospital. She helps children with IBS, constipation and chronic tummy pain using a structured, evidence-based approach that reduces unnecessary dietary restriction and gets families back to normal life.

• Happy Belly Programme - https://ukkidsnutrition.com/ibs-kids-programme/
• Quiz to help understand your child's symptoms - https://ukkidsnutrition.com/tummy-pain-quiz/

About me

Buy my book - Inside Knowledge for people with IBS & SIBO (find it on Amazon)

Get free weekly IBS & SIBO emails - https://mailchi.mp/goodnessme-nutrition.com/h6acndd1bs

Work with me

• 3 month Gut Reset - https://www.goodnessme-nutrition.com/consultations/

Ready for your gut reset? 🌍 I work with clients worldwide, providing remote consultations and a wealth of educational resources for IBS and SIBO.

Instagram - @goodnessme_nutrition

The information in this podcast is not medical advice and is not designed to treat, diagnose or provide personalised health advice. This podcast content is information only and any changes you make are at the user's own risk. Please consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before implementing any new treatment.

For IBS Awareness Month I'm sharing mini daily podcasts about common foods and how they affect IBS or SIBO. I want to help you expand your diet, and understand more how foods affect your digestion.

Do bananas cause constipation? How much can you eat if you have IBS?

If you're enjoying this podcast mini series please review or rate my podcast. Normal weekly episodes return in May 2026.

Buy my book - Inside Knowledge for people with IBS & SIBO (find it on Amazon)

Get free weekly IBS & SIBO emails - https://mailchi.mp/goodnessme-nutrition.com/h6acndd1bs

Work with me

• 3 month Gut Reset - https://www.goodnessme-nutrition.com/consultations/

Ready for your gut reset? 🌍 I work with clients worldwide, providing remote consultations and a wealth of educational resources for IBS and SIBO.

Instagram - @goodnessme_nutrition

The information in this podcast is not medical advice and is not designed to treat, diagnose or provide personalised health advice. This podcast content is information only and any changes you make are at the user's own risk. Please consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before implementing any new treatment.